Is there any Difference?

Is there any difference in the frame that sits under a Skylark and the frame from a GS? If so what are the difference? Thanks. John

 

Do a search here...this has been discussed in detail.

 

The difference is with the engine size. 455 cars have a diff part # frame than 350 cars.

 

Here is an article I just wrote to help you find your frame numbers:

http://www.buickperformance.com/FrameNumbers.htm

 

George, that 71 frame is built one day after my 71 Stage-1 frame which is8/20/70. They must have had a run on frames then for some reason. Mine is also a HAYES frame. Mine is a late MArch car. Just curious what the Build date on that car is? Is a long way from build time for car but is original. I will have to try the mirror trick to look for VIN. Does it realy work?

 

I guess they did not rotate their stock very well. I just notice the VIN for that car starts with 14. Mine starts with 16. I would bet car is a February car?

 

I will have to look at the cowl tag to see what it shows. Will check it tomorrow.

 

Thanks George. Very interested since frames are so close in date.

 

This is all very interesting. Is there anything physically that is different from a Skylark to a GS frame? Thanks, John

 

I believe that the 455 frame is a heavier gauge steel

 

the gs frame will have a cross brace at rear from lower control arm bolt hole to upper control arm bolt hole

 

Dave,
I checked the cowl tag today.
The car has a build date of 02C.....so they are close.

 

Thanks George, I feel better about my far off date on my frame now. This just verifies how weird and "off" GM did things sometimes. I also noticed small dent in frame at date marking same as mine. Stamp must have really pushed on frame.

 

One other question on that car George. Side or top post battery cables? Right about the time they switched I believe.

 

Yes, but those are bolt-on, and not intrinsic to the frame itself.

 

The frame itself is the same for a Skylark and a GS other than the part numbers. There is no difference in the gauge of the frame and the rear braces are bolt-on.
Dennis

 

John,

Sometimes a picture helps. :TU: